Rao's Miami Beach — Restaurant in Miami Beach

Raos

We were the last seating on a balmy Monday night before Halloween…. A strapping tall, graceful guy that became our friend introduced himself and Tim truly welcomed us as family and held my hand through the wine list with his knowledge…I think we had a Ripasso?

More on the waiters/servers : the team had the amazing ability to be present and invisible at the same time and so accommodating., the service was succinct, pointed, diplomatic, mature, playful… opinionated,.…as he should be ... .Amazing experience, sleek, confident service, from all, they were like ninjas…..

A rather hard reservation to secure, being from out of town, I asked upon two friends and Scholars to help and it happened after knowing the right person! Plus I'm kinda a big deal…

THe space was spotlessly clean, still warm and optimistic, the main room with bar on side, and service island separating tables and chairs on main floor, and booths taking the out walls and corners, ……Wondering if i had yet to scale the mountain considering absolutely how hard we yearned for a seat….I wondered if I had the best seat in house?

....I sure did feel special, and Raos richly welcomed us, like……..Familiglia….!

The lobby, foyer and the newness of materials, paint, freshness and optimism of a new business was exciting as well as being a part of it ……….. easy front door valet direct to door….plenty of parking nearby too as we were on the street……. all new facades adorned the waiting room, and hostess stand and we briefly decompressed, and promptly greeted, seated, drinks not long after…….rolling into it………building building…..excellent feeling to eat this well…..

Italian food, simple, fresh, regional, seasonal….then your nona pinches your cheeks!

Our table had two panhandle sized chicken Parms, cooked perfectly , great seasoning and texture, pounded baby…..very comforting bites of breadcrumb fried in Oil of olives....I also enjoy a veal parm, which we did not have......

THis is not about me, I must recall ... .as my mind lingers to the nearby beach and serenity of this palm shaded outdoor space in presence of inviting weather and island breezes ...so serene a location, in the middle of all the proper action in Miami beach.

My go to Franks In Bowery…..I was pumped and I felt privileged to be part of a soft opening……in which we got to sneak into the historic room for a tour, picture opp….

The Agra dolce was a sweet and sour now like a now a later, fresh, fragrant, abundant, packed to go! With Pride I displayed the to go bag Stamped with A RAOS emblem…

Seafood tower which I felt was delicious, fresh, and abundant… nice fresh way to start with a vin blanc, rose, it was just enough to get us talking, and laughing…..to break the ice…pop the cork…open the palette……redden the cheeks.

Our table of course had the Meatballs, with sauce so that Moses could cross but not his disciples…..loose, delicious, perhaps a bay leaf flavor faintly? Well done. Thanks! MOLTO BENE!

I had a veal marsala which I did not share, it was excellent, and fragrant, mushrooms and Sicilian vino sauce in a generous portion, parsley, butter? I used an excellent Parmesan to thicken the sauce and I must say there was an assortment of breads delivered which looked in house, yet i did not try, regrettably.

I recall a special chicken dish was ordered and it was rather delightful, light, and our friend was not having red sauce because of a personal choice.

I took a pack of matches which I will never light….

A perfect dinner, with excellent friends, and employees that clearly were high level professionals dedicated to a continuous and consistent approach while resolving to establish a new iconic destination in Miami Beach, where all are welcome and satiated with Italian food of the highest quality, from the old world, to the new world, to the Magic City......Via...

rom the moment we walked in every single employee was warm, welcoming and cordial. Whoever is managing this location is doing an excellent job. Even the valet guys were on point. We arrived early at around 8:00 o’clock for an 8:15 reservation. The hostess kindly informed us she had a few other guests to sit before us and said we can get some drinks at the bar or relax in the waiting area. We decided to go to the bar. The door man opened the door and welcomed us into a very nicely decorated hall way with pictures of famous guests on the walls, the Wine cellar to the left into a waiting are . My wife needed to use the restrooms so I waited in the very large waiting area with plenty of room. The bathrooms were clean and organized and very nice. We headed to the bar and sat down for some pre dinner drinks. Within 30 seconds a bar tender acknowledged us and provided us with some drink menus. My wife is currently taking a break from drinking alcohol for health reasons and asked the bar tender if there were any more options for “Mocktails” and he said YES and asked her a few questions regarding what she liked and made something for her. It was delicious. I wanted a tequila drink and he recommended on the drinks on the menu. After making our drinks in a timely fashion he checked in with us multiple times to make sure we liked the drinks. Then the hostess came to take us to our table. I asked if we could transfer our drinks to the dinner tab because I hate closing out at the bar and then having to then go sit and of course they did this for me. I really liked that because things flow smoother. I would say within 2 minutes of seating our waiter came, Warmly greeted us, asked our water selection, provided us with menus. The bread was delicious. The butter soft and easy to spread. The ambience of the seating was great. The place was moving but not too loud like your typical “trendy” hyped up Miami restaurant but it was packed in an elegant classy way.

Our waiter came and gave us a history Rao’s, guided me on wine selection as well as food recommendations. The appetizers came out very quickly, the main course came out a perfect amount of time after completing the appetizers. The food quality was delicious. I have eaten at almost every single high end place in Miami and basically ever city or place I go and eat at the top places and the entire experience was a slam dunk, grand slam 10/10. It was our anniversary and I said that on the reservation and the waiter even said congratulations and brought us a dessert to celebrate. It’s the details that matter. Like I said the management and staff are excellent here. Details matter and they all seem to be doing an amazing job! I will be coming back for sure and probably very soon! Congrats ROAS team you guys blew me away with my...

I am appalled at the experience I had at this restaurant last night. I traveled from New York so excited to come try this restaurant. I chose it over many other top restaurants in the Miami area. I scored a 10:00 pm reservation. I got all dressed up in a fancy dress, makeup, and hair done. My husband dressed in business clothes. I have a permanent injury to my leg and have to wear special orthotic arch support shoes. They were dressy, glitter but no back. We arrived to the restaurant and were told by the hostess that the manager would have to come speak to us about my shoes as there is a dress code. I quietly explained that I have a disability, she said the manager would come talk to us and see what they can do. The manager Nara, came out and denied us entry. She was loudly saying she can’t let me in with my shoes. At that moment, I was so embarrassed. We asked if there is any exception that can be made as I have a disability but she kept saying no. I told her more than 3 times that those are the shoes I had to wear. As I was leaving we saw people leaving the restaurant with sneakers, some with basically cheap keds on, others with open back sandals with a slight heel as well as staff dressed in hokas. A woman with a dog in a purse was also permitted entry. I left the restaurant in tears, humiliated. Worst night I’ve encountered at an establishment. We told everyone outside, people were appalled. Rao’s how could you discriminate against someone with a disability? Of course we understand that there are rules to follow but to deny someone with a disability is outrageous. My husband called back to ask for the regional manager to call us, Nara called back and told us there is a dress code. I told her I had a permanent injury, she then over the phone said she didn’t hear us say that trying to backtrack and justify what transpired. She then said she could try to ask the chef if they could make us take out or reschedule a reservation for another night. My husband got really upset and said our money is good enough for take out though? I will not stop at just this review. I am determined to expose this discriminatory treatment against the disabled. I was allowed entry to another exclusive restaurant with a dress code in the area after searching for a place that would take us without a reservation. They were compassionate and accepting. I want others to learn of this unjust discriminatory experience. I’m sure there are many others with a disability, or who have someone in their family who has a disability that would be devastated to learn this. Rao’s where is your compassion ? How could you treat your supporting customers this way? Are you not aware of the laws in this Country regarding...